Antrup, Wilhelm "Willy"

Date of birth:: February 1st, 1910 (Leeden/Western Phalia, Germany)
Date of death:: November 14th, 1984 (Neubiberg-Munich/Bavaria, Germany)
Nationality:: German

Biography

Wilhelm Antrup was born in Leeden on Febraury 1st, 1910. After his school he entered the Deutschen Verkehrsfliegerschule in Cottbus in 1934. After his pilot training het joined the Luftwaffe in 1935. Wilhelm Antrup took part in the Spanish Civil war as Leutnant with the Kondor Legion.

When the Second World War sterted, Antrup was added to the Stabstaffel / Kampfgeschwader 55 as Technischer Offizier with the rank of Oberleutnant. Then he took part in the figtings over Poland, the western campaign in May/June 1940 and the Battle for England. During this last battle het was Staffelkapitän 5. / Kampfgeschwader 55 with the rank of Hauptmann. After this, Antrup and his unit were put into battle at the eastern front, where they fought over the Cuacasus and at Stalingrad. in December 1942 he became temporary Kommandeur III. / Kampfgeschwader 55 to be appointed in that function formally on May 6th, 1943. At the ending of the Second World War, Antrup was taken prisoner by American troops. His final mission count was 612 front flights.

After the war he joned the Bundeswehr and was appointed Leiter der Technischen Schule der Luftwaffe 1 (Flugsicherung) as Oberst in 1956. On December 1st, 1956 he became Leiter der Technischen Schule der Luftwaffe 3 (Technik), which occupation he held until June 30th, 1962.
Wilhelm Antrup retired as Brigadegeneral on March 31st, 1968.

During the Second World War he flew a total of 612 operational sorties.

Career:
Luftwaffe;
? : Staffelkapitän 5. / Kampfgeschwader 55;
December 1942 - 6th May 1943: stellv. Kommandeur III. / Kampfgeschwader 55;
6th May 1943 - 7th August 1943: Kommandeur III. / Kampfgeschwader 55;
8th August 1943 - 1st October 1944: Kommodore Kampfgeschwader 55;
Bundesluftwaffe;
1956: Leiter der Technischen Schule der Luftwaffe 1 (Flugsicherung);
1st December 1956 - 30th June 1962: Leiter der Technischen Schule der Luftwaffe 3 (Technik);
31st March 1968: Retirement.

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Deutsches Kreuz in Gold

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:: 5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: January 2nd, 1942

Award 6/14.

Ritterkreuz des Eisernen Kreuzes

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Hauptmann (Flight Lieutenant)
Unit:: Staffelkapitän, 5. Staffel, II. Gruppe, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: November 13th, 1942

Awarded after flying over 300 bomber sorties.

647th Award.

Ritterkreuz mit Eichenlaub

Period:: Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:: Oberstleutnant (Wing Commander)
Unit:: Kommodore, Kampfgeschwader 55, Luftwaffe
Awarded on:: November 18th, 1944

Awarded after flying about 500 bomber sorties. By now Antrup had distinguished himself as both a pilot and unit commander. His greatest achievement by this stage was leading the successful raid against the Poltava airfield on the night of the 21./22.06.1941. This raid destroyed 47 of 73 B-17 bombers that had landed here in addition to numerous additional planes/equipment destroyed or damaged.

655th Award.